New Messiah

by Impassioned Jedi

AU. Takes place beginning in Episode III and beyond. What if Anakin doesn't fall? What if Padmé is the leader of the Rebel Alliance? How different would Luke and Leia turn out if raised by their parents? Palpatine is a relentless figure who will stop at nothing to rule the galaxy, even if it means using Anakin's loved ones against him. Warning, dark themes; rape & sci-fi violence.

35. Chapter 35

Disney owns everything Star Wars, please don't sue me!

"There is nothing more beautiful in the universe than pure love."

Chapter XXXV

"The crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the Force. The Force is the blade of the heart," Barriss Offee explained to her Padawan, Ruvino Andrierrie as she supervised his lightsaber construction. She had provided him with a green synthetic kyber crystal.

Though in an entranced state, Ruvino held onto his Master's words, letting them guide his almost effortless assembly of his lightsaber from various parts provided to him by her.

"This is how it was explained to me by my master, Luminara Unduli," Barriss said with pride while she thought back to when she was Luminara's Padawan learner.

His eyes closed, Ruvino's concentration deepened, feeling each part touching him as if they were an extension of his being. Reaching further into the Force until he could final feel the crystal – the heart which would make up his lightsaber hilt. He recalled his Master's instructions and visualized the diagram she had shown him earlier. He began arranging all the different parts into a cohesive construction – each piece had its function, and every fiber had a purpose. When he opened his eyes, he saw his almost finished weapon before him.

Ruvino picked up his lightsaber and looked at the green synth crystal waiting to be fully sealed inside. It glowed with a powerful energy that seemed to speak to him, saying that it was now a part of his being, a reflection of his soul, and his life. With great care, he placed the last part over the crystal and secured it in place.

Barriss gave a nod of approval. "Go on."

Her Padawan held the hilt up and an emerald green blade of hot plasma sprung forth like a stinger from the emitter. It hummed in a lower rhythmic tone than the lightsabers powered from pure kyber crystals, but it was stable – much to Barriss' relief.

Ruvino deactivated his weapon and smiled at it with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Over the past two days Barriss had taught him some basic healing and martial skills. The highlight however, was teaching him how to construct a lightsaber.

Ruvino's smile soon gave way to an expression of consternation. "I hear her Master… Mirala, she's suffering. I need to go to her," he said, now looking out his window.

"Patience Ruvino, you have just begun your training, when the time is right."

Ruvino looked back at his master. "And when will that be? It tortures me every day knowing she is being held prisoner in her own mind like that. I-I feel like I'm on fire, as if someone is burning me alive."

Barriss felt nothing but sympathy for what Ruvino was going through. She was trying to help and set things right, that was one of the reasons she had taken him under her wing as her Padawan learner. "Ruvino, please listen to me. Each day you grow stronger and stronger, but you must learn patience. If you are to rescue your sister someday, you must first become a trained and competent Jedi Knight. That doesn't happen overnight. It takes patience and persistence."

She had to fill her Padawan with hope and motivation, and her words seemed to calm him. "Come, let me see your lightsaber."

Ruvino respectfully offered his hilt to his mentor.

Barriss then inspected his weapon, her eyes and fingers purposefully moving around the hilt. "Never forget, this weapon is your soul. It is the most iconic symbol of your identity as a Jedi. Never go anywhere without it, but do be careful where and how you use it Ruvino. For the time being, only use it in a life or death situation. If the Empire knew a Jedi was here on Naboo, they would relentlessly search for you until you are dead."

And that meant the Emperor would also use her to hunt down and kill her secret apprentice. She was playing a very dangerous game training him.

Ruvino's face formed into an irritated scowl once more. "Then what is the point in training me to be a Jedi if I am not allowed to use my abilities? How can I eventually rescue Mirala?" He protested.

"Because the ways of the Jedi cannot die! Their lineage must survive through you! Know you are not the only one however. There are a handful of Jedi out there who have survived the Great Jedi Purge… Which I partook in when I was a Sith. I killed many of them over the past 3 years."

Barriss drew upon her memories. One of the most notorious events she participated in was leading the mission the mission to the lush jungle world of Veridian IV, where Jedi Master Quinlan Vos, and his wife, Khaleen Hentz, were killed.

A year earlier, Imperial intelligence agents had discovered Master Vos' secret location and that he was in league with 6 other Jedi who had survived the purge, though they had no affiliation with the Rebel Alliance. Emperor Palpatine swiftly dispatched her and the 501st Legion to wipe them all out.

Lady Nadara navigated through the lush jungle surrounding the outskirts of a small city on Veridian IV. The air had a rich sweet scent, courtesy of the planet's unique foliage, which included a wide variety of colorful exotic flowers. The hot late afternoon sun illuminated the steamy haze in a dazzling pink and orange color that was scattered throughout the area. Nadara paused momentarily to admire the view and scenery. There was no time to admire the planet however, she had a mission to fulfill, and she had brought the best troops of the 501st with her to help accomplish it. Bibs and her personal bodyguards were also among them.

In the sky above, loomed a Venator class star destroyer, once painted in colorful Republic markings, it was now a dull and plain white Imperial color.

Nadara had already slayed 3 of the Jedi, but Quinlan Vos had still managed to evade her. She masked her presence within the Force and kept her form concealed behind her cloak.

It did not take her long before she finally spotted her prized prey: Master Vos. He was accompanied with the 3 other Jedi: 2 males, 1 female. A pathetic gathering of fools, so much the better for the slaughter. Nadara stepped back and hid behind a large bush and reached for her comlink.

"This is Lady Nadara," her voice was soft, just above a whisper, "I have located the other three Jedi, come down on this transmission, they are walking through the forest about forty meters ahead of me."

"Acknowledged, we're on our way," came the cold reply of CT-0187, the commanding officer of the 501st under Nadara's command. He may have spoken in the same accent and voice of his genetic template; Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, but his inflection could not be more different: It was soulless, the inflection of a cold-blooded killer.

Nadara quietly began moving through the forest and stealthily tailed Vos and the Jedi. Vos was obstructed by two of them, she would have to take them out first to get to him, her prime target. She reached inside her cloak and pulled her lightdagger and held it down at her side.

A blaster bolt flew across the air and struck a tree near the Jedi, who promptly reacted and engaged their lightsabers; the 501st had arrived. No holds would be barred, and no prisoners would be taken in this encounter. It was kill or be killed.

Nadara took that as her que. Moving in quickly she activated her lightdagger and held it in a ready-to-throw position. the Force guided her hand, making her precise movement effortless before she released it into the air: The dagger's plasma blade met its mark and embedded itself in the side of the neck of the rearmost Jedi – dropping him to the ground before knowing what hit him. Alertly, the female Jedi next to him quickly turned around and held her green blade up defensively.

Nadara swiftly brought her crimson blade down against her opponent while the 501st kept Vos and his compatriot occupied. The female Jedi fought as hard as she could, moving swiftly and grunting as she fought for her life. She was quite skilled with the blade and placed Nadara on the defensive.

While retreating, Nadara's foot caught itself up on a rock – sending her careening backwards. Her opponent took full advantage of this and attacked with a series of quick cuts, which resulted in Nadara being disarmed.

The Jedi raised her weapon to strike a death blow, Nadara reacted quickly – instinctively jamming her left forearm against her enemy's wrists. Before the Jedi could respond, Nadara reached for one of her throwing spikes and elegantly inserted it into her opponent's carotid artery. The Jedi dropped her weapon and let out a gurgling scream – her blood spattering against the side of Nadara's face.

The Dark Lady of the Sith quickly removed the spike and watched her prey fall to the ground, clutching her throat.

"Thought you had me?" Nadara taunted before looking at her lightsaber and willed it to return to her hand.

In an act of near mercy, Nadara activated her lightsaber and finished off the Jedi; bringing to an end her tortured choking sounds.

Nadara soon found herself looking down Quinlan Vos' lightsaber, but he was too late to help his friend.

"Barriss Offee! I should have known the Emperor would send his garbage girl!" Vos growled while attacking.

Nadara parried his emerald blade. "You will now feel the full weight of the Dark Side!" She responded.

Vos pulled back and held his blade out towards Nadara. He shook his head not so much in disgust, but as a gesture of pity as he gazed at her blood-stained face. "Oh, I've felt the power of the Dark Side. I know how it corrupts souls, just as its corrupted you. Do you love anyone Barriss?"

Nadara briefly thought of Ahsoka Tano for a couple of seconds before she yelled in a fit of rage and attacked Vos with all her hatred as she became fully immersed in the Dark Side.

The Jedi Master was able to hold his own against the Sith Lady's attacks. He parried and answered with a flurry of strikes, his lightsaber moving so fast, Nadara was barely able to defend.

Vos' compatriot however was not faring so well against the combined attacks of the elite 501st Stormtroopers and Nadara's bodyguards. He rolled and evaded what blaster fire he was unable to block with his lightsaber. He had managed to get close enough to slay a couple of them.

Growing tired of games, a few of the troopers tossed in several stun grenades. The Jedi managed to project them back onto the 501st troopers save for one that landed in the bushes just behind him. The grenades detonated, stunning most of the troopers and the Jedi simultaneously.

Bibs had managed to dive for cover, but he was still struck by the effects of the grenades. Fighting to stay conscious, he summoned his last strength, raised his blaster rifle and fired for the head of his target. The red bolt of plasma connected and downed his target.

Bibs wanted to rush to Nadara's aid, that was his job, his duty, but his body would not allow it. He dropped to the ground and lost consciousness.

In the background Nadara and Vos remained locked in a fierce duel. Their lightsabers were now locked together.

"You are beyond redemption, beyond reason Barriss, I'm going to do the galaxy a favor today," Vos stated before he shoved Nadara off his blade.

Nadara looked beyond Vos but could not see any of her other 501st troops backing her up. She silently cursed and feared she was fighting a battle she could not win.

Vos readied his blade and moved to attack. Nadara evaded by backflipping onto a nearby tree branch. Time to play my trump card. She pulled out her comlink and called the star destroyer above her.

"Captain Valius, target the city with all your weapons! Level it on my command!"

Quinlan Vos paused, and Nadara smiled. In an instant, she had quickly managed to tilt the battle in her favor.

"I knew it would come to this, this is how the Sith operate. But my wife is prepared to give her life," he said solemnly.

Despite his cool and composed nature, Nadara could sense Vos was hiding something. She lifted her head. "Oh, but I can sense your fear Quinlan. Yes… Your fear runs deep. You can save her, and all who dwell here. I could have offered you the chance to surrender earlier, but I came down here for the thrill of the hunt. But I grow weary of this charade. Surrender peacefully, and I will spare their lives."

Vos balked. "Treachery is the way of the Sith. The moment I surrender you will give the order to fire. I know your ways all too well. This battle will only end in death, one way or the other, that is what you wish."

"You're very astute, I will give you that," Nadara then spoke into her comlink. "Captain Valius, you may fire when ready."

All Jedi Master Quinlan Vos could do was look on as the star destroyer unleashed its armament on the city below. "What have you done today Barriss? What have you done?"

"I've taught these people a lesson that this is what happens to those who harbor Jedi outlaws."

"No, Barriss, you're teaching them to rebel against tyranny today," Vos countered.

With a crooked grin, Nadara responded by holding her lightsaber up in a derisive salute.

Vos no longer minced words, with a Force-aided push, he dashed towards the tree Nadara was standing up and sliced through it with his lightsaber.

As the tree began falling, Nadara somersaulted off her branch and landed perfectly on her feet. Vos lunged at her and attacked her effortlessly and without restraint. She parried and channeled her energy through her left hand and managed to Force-push Vos against another nearby tree. She swung her Sith blade across her body, but the Jedi Master managed to duck and roll out of the way.

Without warning, a red blaster bolt struck the foliage near Vos, who stopped and raised his lightsaber defensively and deflected two incoming beams.

Nadara pursed her lips into a nefarious smile, by now her 501st troops and bodyguards had regained consciousness and had joined in on the fight. It did not take long until Quinlan Vos found himself surrounded. She raised her hand, ordering her troops to hold fire.

"So, this is how it ends… You have no honor Barriss, and to think you held such promise as a Jedi," Vos said while lowering his still active blade.

"Trying to get the last word in Quinlan? It's over, you lost. The corrupt Jedi need to die. Don't you see?" Nadara was unrepentant in her tone, she was convinced she was on the right side – the Dark Side.

Vos closed his eyes, as if he were in a deep meditative state. "I was almost nearly consumed by the darkness once… But I sense a buried conflict within you Barriss, just as there was within me," he then opened his eyes. "It's time to meet with destiny."

Quinlan Vos then Force-jumped, but to Nadara's surprise, he did not jump for her, but towards the 501st. Nadara watched in almost quiet admiration of his valor. In the face of defeat, he refused to surrender and was going to take down as many as he could before he fell. "All men pull back, repeat, all men pull back," she spoke into her comlink."Captain Valius, target the position directly in front of me and prepare to fire."

Vos cut down two 501st troopers he was fighting while the rest pulled away. The Jedi Master then turned and looked at Nadara. She raised her lightsaber once more, this time not as a mocking gesture, but as a respectful salute. Shortly thereafter she gave the order for the star destroyer to fire. A dazzling array of green plasma struck the area where Vos was standing with the precision only Imperial warship gunners were capable of. When the smoke cleared the only thing that remained was a smoldering crater, Vos was nowhere to be seen, and Nadara could no longer sense his presence.

"Captain Valius cease fire. I'm going to go into town and see if Khaleen Hentz has been killed."

"Understood Milady," came the Imperial Naval Captain's reply.

Nadara, and her bodyguards made their way into the small city. The devastation was quite apparent. At least half the city had been leveled and was in flames by the star destroyer's barrage. People were scurrying about, crying and screaming and rushing to aid one another and to put out the fires.

While walking down the ruined streets Nadara's watchful eyes caught sight of a little girl about 8-years-old, her clothes were torn and her face covered in soot. She was kneeling over the bodies of a man and woman who Nadara deduced to be her parents. The young girl looked at her with pained and confused eyes, eyes that could only have said "why?" Nadara stopped and took pity on the young child. She turned to her bodyguards.

"Lovell, escort this child to the nearest hospital, she should not be out here by herself," the Dark Lady instructed.

Lovell nodded and rushed over to the little girl. Nadara ordered the rest of them to keep moving. What I did was for the good of the Empire. I don't blame the children, but the adults should have known better than to harbor Jedi fugitives, she silently justified to herself before stopping at the residence Vos and his wife had been hiding in according to their intelligence reports. The house appeared to have been damaged by the star destroyer's weapons fire, but there was no sign of any fires inside the structure.

Nadara entered the wrecked house with her lightsaber drawn and carefully navigated around the debris. She came to a halt when she saw the body of Khaleen Hentz lying face up on the floor. Nadara could feel no life emanating from her body, however Nadara could sense a second very faint presence nearby. She allowed the Force to guide her to the sign of life and discovered a small toddler lying on the floor, he was unconscious, but alive. She approached the toddler and saw he was a boy, a boy with similar facial tattoos of Quinlan Vos.

His son… Nadara came to realize. There was nothing in any of the Imperial intel reports that said Vos and Hentz had a child. But there he was, lying in front of her. She was now confronted with a choice. Let the Force sensitive boy live or die.

Nadara held her lightsaber over the Vos child; but instead of striking, she sheathed her Sith weapon and placed it back on her belt. Seeing the child had softened her cold heart. Emperor Palpatine had no knowledge of the boy's existence, there was simply no need to kill him. After reaching her decision, the Emperor's Hand pulled out her comlink.

"Bibs, I need you," Nadara's voice was soft and gentle, it was a tone she had not spoken in for a long time.

In just a few seconds Bibs came rushing into the room and saw Nadara holding a small boy wrapped inside a blanket.

"Bibs, I need you to take this child to the nearby hospital. Tell them his parents have been killed. They will take care of him and find him a new home. He should not be made to suffer for the sins of his parents."

"No harm will come to this boy," Bibs assured while taking hold of the toddler gently in his strong arms.

Nadara began to contemplate to herself while she watched her chief bodyguard carry the Vos child away. The Empire is victorious today, but was it worth it? Yes, yes, it was.

Her thoughts then drifted back to the present. "No, no, it wasn't," she whispered to herself.

"Master?" A steel-eared Ruvino questioned rather curiously.

Realizing her Padawan had overheard her, Barriss sighed and gently rubbed her forehead. She quietly admonished herself for once again allowing herself to be carried away by memories of a past she now wished she could undo.

"I'm so sorry my Padawan, I just drifted off once more thinking about the past,"

Ruvino could see how unsettled she was. He did not like seeing his mentor like this. It was almost as if she suffered from a sort of post-traumatic stress syndrome. "Will you be all right?"

Barriss pondered if she should lie to him briefly, but felt he needed to know the truth about the Dark Side. "My time as a Sith has affected my psyche in a very negative way. I once thought I was doing a great service to the galaxy by helping Emperor Palpatine, by becoming his apprentice. When he found me, I was in prison, rotting because I… Bombed the Jedi Temple on Coruscant."

Ruvino's eyes became wide with not only shock, but with terror. "You did what?!" He asked, refusing to believe his compassionate teacher could have done such a thing.

When Barriss turned and looked into her Padawan's eyes he knew she was telling the truth. Of course, what reason would she have to lie to him? Ruvino just had trouble fathoming she was capable of such an act.

"I bombed the Jedi Temple because I felt the Jedi Order had lost its way and had become the very evil I had devoted my life to destroy. I was blinded by my own self-righteousness and hatred I allowed it to consume me for a time. Palpatine secured my release from prison and in exchange I accepted his offer to learn the Dark Side of the Force, he promised me unlimited power to bring peace to the galaxy. I literally felt I had nothing to lose. So, I willfully became his pawn in purging the Jedi from the galaxy. My last act as a Sith was leading the invasion of Naboo where during the course of the invasion I killed most of Queen Apailana's handmaidens. During the battle I was mortally wounded, and I died, for a short time anyway until the doctors could revive me. But I went to the other side, I saw the fires of hell for myself, and I felt a pain and suffering unlike anything I ever experienced. When I was brought back, that's when I cast off my mantle as 'Dark Lady of the Sith'. But in truth… There was still good in me, it just took that experience to jolt it back to the surface. Many a Jedi in the past have fallen to the Dark Side, some saw it as a path to empowerment, but it's a trap. It's the quick and easy way out. Not unlike someone who becomes an addict to cope with their problems. Because the Dark Side is literal enslavement. I once thought I had nothing left to lose, but I was wrong: I had lost my soul."

Barriss then gave her Padawan a no-nonsense stare and Ruvino recoiled not just from her story, but her tone of voice and the earnestness behind her eyes, covered by red contact lenses.

"I'm afraid…" Ruvino blurted out.

"You should be," Barriss affirmed before her expression softened.

I… Don't know what to say," Ruvino responded, feeling uneasy.

Barriss wondered if she may have gotten a little too carried away in her explanation. She was only trying to impress upon him the dangers of the Dark Side, but drawing on her recent memories which were still fresh and deep may not have been the wisest choice on her part. She gently placed a hand on Ruvino's shoulder and rubbed it gently.

"No matter what happens to me, remember what I've taught you. Learn from my mistakes," Barriss' voice had become anguished, mournful.

"There is so much self-loathing in your voice. I don't care what you've done in your past, what matters is you're doing good now. You're my Master and I will stand by you," Ruvino professed, feeling a strong sense of loyalty to her because she had taken him in and was training him to become quick and strong – a Jedi.

For her Padawan's sake, she had to hold firm, she had to be the brave Soldier. Barriss continued rubbing his shoulder gently and smiled. "I know you'll make me proud." Barriss removed her hand and clasped them together in front of her. "Now, why don't we sum up today's lessons before I go? Let's review the healing technique I taught you."

It was mid-morning, and inside the Theed Royal Palace, Queen Servana's handmaidens were busy helping her prepare for her day. Mora carefully shuffled some tablets in her hand which contained the Queen's agenda for the day.

Barriss Offee had left earlier to conduct her daily morning patrol throughout the city. Although Mora knew that meant she was spending some of that time with Ruvino. His very name made her heart skip a beat. She stopped organizing the tablets and began to lose herself daydreaming about him. He had saved her life a couple nights ago from a terrifying encounter with a hungry glowl wolf. And she would not soon forget it. She had not stopped thinking about him and wondered when she would next see him.

"Hey!" Permé shouted from behind.

"Oh!" Mora jumped in surprise and dropped the tablets she held.

Permé threw up her hands before crossing them in front of her and began tapping her foot. "Oh, just wonderful, can't you do anything right?"

"Sorry!" Mora squeaked.

Permé approached and pushed Mora away with her right hand. "Let me clean this up and get everything organized since you're so spasticated!"

Mora choked in response to Permé's insult. Over time she had grown increasingly abusive towards her. And although Barriss would intervene when she saw it, the Emperor's Hand could not protect her from Permé's wrath all the time. Mora was a person who never wanted to harm another, but she desperately wanted to stand up to Permé and tell her what a sorry excuse of a human being she was. But she knew the moment she did that she would be dismissed from her position as a handmaiden of the Royal Court, and then who would keep an eye on the Queen? Who would be the other inside person for the Rebel Alliance? Mora was the extra eyes and ears for Barriss, but more than that, she made a promise to Ruvino she'd watch over his sister – a responsibility she held in the highest regard. But how much more of Permé's unscrupulous treatment could she take? Mora was beginning to feel the pressure and she had her breaking point – just like everyone else.

While Permé shifted through the tablets she was unaware of Mora's eyes glaring at her with a certain contempt.

"Are you still here? Well don't just stand around! Why don't you go to the kitchen and see if the soup is ready to be served, hmm?"

"I am not a waitress!" Mora snapped in a short and angry tone. She could not help it, but something told her she would instantly regret that transgression.

Permé looked up from the tablets. In a slow and deliberate manner, she set them down on the table in front of her before turning around, her eyes burning with enmity. "What did you just say?"

Mora was hesitant to speak, she knew she had erred. "I-" She began, but was slapped firmly across the face by Permé. The sound of smacking flesh echoing throughout the entire Grand Hall.

Mora's face was knocked to the right side of her body and remained frozen in that position from a state of shock.

"Know your place Mora! I'm going to give you one chance to apologize!" Permé growled while pointing her index finger at her unmoving subordinate. "Look at me!" She shouted.

Mora slowly turned to face, her breathing was shallow and her hazel eyes were leaden with fear. "I'm sorry…" Her voice whispered.

"What's that? Speak up!" Permé demanded.

"I'm sorry," Mora repeated, this time more stridently.

Satisfied with her answer, Permé pulled back. "Now, go to the kitchen, see if the soup is ready, if it is, serve her Highness!

With slumped shoulders Mora did as she was ordered.

Permé smirked while she watched Mora walk into the kitchen in a defeated manner. In truth she would not dismiss her, at least not until she did something absolutely egregious. Mora had become her favorite subject to torment inside the palace. She was such a pretty an innocent creature, which Permé felt the need to strangle and keep below water, and she took great pleasure in doing so.

Permé first discovered the joy of inflicting pain when she was a young girl: Once she had a pet kitten named Skeeter who had clawed on one of her favorite dresses, up till that point she had never been filled with a more vehement rage. Impulsively, she took Skeeter and drowned the kitten in the bathtub. It was then she realized how pleasurable it felt to her when she had that power of life or death over another. She had carefully disposed of Skeeter's remains in a nearby field and told her parents the kitten had run away. Her parents were never the wiser.

When she became a teenager, Permé developed an attraction towards power. She desired control over others. Emperor Palpatine was her greatest role model, and Permé lusted to one day stand by his side and share in his vast power as Empress of the Galaxy. The mere thought of her possibly having that title one day made her skin tingle. I will be the most powerful woman in the galaxy someday, Permé thought with confident certainty.

Growing up, Permé had sought positions that would help her achieve her aims. But her life did not unfold quite as she intended: Permé had no prior political experience, she had dropped out of the diplomatic program when she was 12-years-old, as she simply could not manage the difficult curriculum of the school and achieved nothing but failing grades. She later felt becoming a Royal handmaiden might allow her to get her foot in the door, but she was dismissed from the program after only 1 week of training. During her stint in Nubian civil service she worked as a low-level secretary for Governor Sio Bibble, and she counted the miserable days until her service was over. Over the next few years her hopes for attaining power seemed to be dashed, but her fortune quickly changed when Queen Apailana was 'deposed' by Emperor Palpatine. Permé had caught his eye and was offered the position of chief handmaiden, which she accepted without contemplation. With Queen Servana rendered pacified, the only other person she had to contend with in the palace was the Emperor's Hand, whom she could not stand.

Smiling wickedly, Permé picked up the tablets lying on the table and walked towards the throne room. Her mind fixated on thoughts of power and the Emperor.

Barriss was preparing to depart from the Andrierrie family residence. She had a successful morning training session with Ruvino.

"How's my daughter doing?" Came Athala Andrierrie's voice from behind Barriss.

"She's in good health," was all Barriss could say while fastening her cloak around her shoulders.

"And my son, how is his training progressing? Is he going to fight with the Resistance?"

Barriss paused and looked squarely at the mother of Ruvino and Mirala. "His training goes well, and how much do you know about the Resistance? Has Ruvino said anything to you?"

Athala shook her head. "No, but I am the widower of an RSF officer, I still have some connections among his friends who survived him. Colonel Lucas Althrum has made passing remarks about establishing an underground resistance called the 'Nubian Partisans', is this your doing?"

Barriss carefully considered her response. She could sense Athala's fear and dread for her son. But before she talked about Ruvino, she had another question to address. "You know Colonel Althrum?"

"Yes, he's a family friend, my husband, Brevin, served with him. Lucas comes by from time-to-time to check up on us, he knows full well what's happened to Mirala."

That makes sense. Now Barriss was afraid of her and Ruvino being discovered before he was ready. "Mrs. Andrierrie listen to me very carefully. It is imperative that you reveal nothing about Ruvino's Jedi training to Colonel Althrum. He may be a family friend, but I cannot risk his being discovered right now. In the meantime, you have my personal assurances your son will not take an active role in the Partisans until after he has been sufficiently trained and I feel he is ready. His primary motivation is to free Mirala from the thrall of the Emperor."

Athala let out a long sigh, she did not seem to be satisfied with the answer. "And when do you deem him to be ready?"

"Mom! Are you still worried about me?" Came Ruvino's voice from the small balcony that led to his bedroom.

Both Barriss and Ruvino looked up and saw him frowning above them.

"Honey, how can I not worry? No matter how old you get, you'll always be my baby!"

Ruvino resisted the urge to groan, while Barriss smiled.

"Well, if it puts your mind at ease I already had a talk about this with Master Offee, she won't let me join the fight because I am not yet ready. But when I am ready, you won't have to worry! The Force is with me!" Ruvino asserted with youthful confidence.

"Well Master Jedi, in the meantime you've been neglecting your other household chores, the trash has been piling up. Why don't you use the Force to carry it out?" Athala said while crossing her arms.

Ruvino's face sank. His mother was right; he had gotten so caught up in his training he had been ignoring his other responsibilities. "I'm sorry Mom. I'll see to that now," he obediently said before walking downstairs and into the kitchen.

"He's a good young man. He'll make a fine Jedi," Barriss affirmed in a prideful voice, watching as her Padawan began gathering up several trash bags in the kitchen.

Athala nodded quietly in contemplation before looking back at her houseguest. "I don't know if you can understand a mother's love for her children."

Her statement caught Barriss off guard. And she wondered what exactly was going through Athala's mind at that moment. Fear? Doubt? Likely both. "I feel your love for him through the vast river that is the Force. In addition, my species are naturally empathic. Your love for him burns as bright as the sun above us. I won't let anything bad happen to him, and I won't rest until your daughter is freed."

Athala looked as if she were about to cry. Barriss could feel the strain of recent events on the poor woman. I imagine she cries herself to sleep every night, she thought while looking at Athala compassionately.

"Thank you… It's just been so incredibly hard here... There are times I find myself breaking, but Ruvino and hope for my daughter is what keeps me going," Athala choked before sniffling and rubbing her watery eye.

Barriss was reminded of the Vos child, a child that was made an orphan because of her. And Athala Andrierrie had lost her husband and daughter because of her. The responsibility of what was occurring to the Andrierrie family lay squarely on both Quarsh Panaka and Barriss' shoulders, and the former was dead. I am the last…

As much as Barriss wanted to comfort this woman's pain she did not know what to say to her, but words were hollow without principled action to back them up. She concluded the best way to comfort Athala was to free her daughter.

The widower wiped her face with a small cloth and drew her attention back to Barriss. "Well, I won't keep you any longer Master Offee. May the Force be with you, and keep a watchful eye on my daughter… Please, you and Ruvino are her only hope. Bring her back to me safely someday."

It was now time for Barriss to speak, and back up the words she was about to say with principled action. "I give you my word Mrs. Andrierrie." She then reached inside her cloak and pulled out some Imperial credit ingots and placed them in Athala's hands. "Here, I know you are struggling to make ends meet. I want you to have these credits."

Athala was flabbergasted, her hands instinctively closed around the gold and silver currency and shook nervously. "This-I-I… Don't know what to say!"

Barriss shook her head. "Please, take it, buy some food for you and Ruvino, the boy is so skinny, he needs to eat more!" She emphasized.

"Perhaps then, I will cook him his favorite meal tonight."

With a smile, Barriss nodded approvingly.

After Mora had finished serving the Queen some of the soup that had been prepared she had moved to leave but was stopped by her Highness.

"Mora, please wait," Queen Servana ordered without any inflection behind her voice.

The handmaiden stopped and faced the Queen.

"Mora, I must send you on some errands this morning," Servana said, pushing her bowl of soup aside, "first my old red gown has torn, please have it mended by the tailor…" The puppet Queen paused and her eyes seemed to be drifting off into space.

Mora leaned forward ever so slightly and spoke gently. "And second?" She asked.

The Queen regained her focus and stared at Mora. "The soup would taste better with nara berries. We do not have any stocked. While you are out, please pick some from the forest."

Mora was taken aback by the Queen's odd request. "Why not buy some from the market?"

"Because, they taste… Different."

"Yes, your Highness." Mora bowed before walking into the Royal bed chambers, she stopped when she began to walk past the large mirror in front of the dresser. Mora turned and pulled back the hood of her cloak. Her cheek was beginning to bruise from where Permé had struck her earlier.

Mora brought a hand to her injured cheek and touched it with her fingers. She looked down and sighed. If she had told her parents about her treatment in the palace no doubt they'd be shocked and appalled and would demand she quit. Which was the chief reason she kept quiet about it to them. She quickly pulled her hood back over her head and briskly walked to the closet and retrieved the Queen's damaged gown. It looked to have just a popped seam, which was easily repairable.

After carefully folding up the gown, Mora moved to exit the Royal chambers, but paused when she overheard a conversation taking place in the throne room. She pressed her ear to the door so she could listen in. One of the voices was obviously Servana, and the other belonged to Emperor Palpatine.

"Queen Servana, I have a task for you," Mora overheard the Emperor announce in his signature nasally voice.

"I am at the Emperor's service," Servana replied blandly.

"Queen Servana, I want you to keep a close watch on both Lady Nadara and Colonel Braxton. I have a feeling not all is what it seems on Naboo. Furthermore, I want you to plant listening devices throughout the palace. If you notice anything suspicious notify me at once, tell no one else of this."

Mora gasped and brought a hand to her mouth. The conversation came to an end and she pulled back from the door. The handmaiden felt a wave of unspeakable dread wash over her. What are we going to do now?

Mora exhaled slowly and told herself to calm down. The Emperor only had feelings of suspicion, not proof, at least, not yet.

She fidgeted with her clothes nervously for a several seconds before composing herself and exited the Royal chambers. She quietly and unassumingly made her way towards the large double doors that led back into the Grand Hall, somehow those doors looked a lot taller and very far away this time. She had almost reached them when Queen Servana spoke.

"Mora..."

The handmaiden stopped in her tracks, swallowed and turned around, her heart racing. She wondered if the Queen suspected she might have overheard her conversation. "Yes?"

"Don't forget a basket on your way out, for the berries."

Mora wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but a simple acknowledgement of the Queen's instructions would suffice. "Yes, your Highness," Mora answered with a bow.

With Servana's torn gown in hand, Mora entered the Grand Hall and closed the large door behind her, pressing her back against it and then allowed herself to breathe a much-needed sigh of relief. She had to find a way to inform Barriss Offee discretely about what she had just overheard, their very lives may depend on it.

Barriss was now ascending the familiar steps of the Theed Royal Palace. She was as usual, accompanied with her bodyguards. While she was with Ruvino training him, she allowed them to spend their time at another one of the nearby restaurants, although to avoid suspicion she would have to avoid making a habit out of it.

The palace doors opened and a petite handmaiden exited. Despite her head being covered by the hood of her cloak, Barriss easily identified her as Mora, and she was carrying a small wicker basket, much to Barriss' bewilderment.

"Are you going on a picnic Mora?" Barriss questioned.

"Milady!" Mora said with surprise, running over. "You're just the person I am looking for!"

Suddenly Barriss' stomach turned to knots. There was something about Mora's urgent tone that told her a storm was approaching.

"The Emperor-" Mora began.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down!" Barriss instructed while pressing her index finger to her lips.

"Oh! Sorry, Milady!" Mora's voice became just above a whisper," I overheard the Queen talking to the Emperor, he's growing suspicious that something treasonous might be occurring on Naboo. He's instructed the Queen to keep a close watch on you and Colonel Braxton. He also told her to plant listening devices throughout the palace!" She explained ominously.

The revelation was precisely what Barriss had feared might happen someday. "All right Mora, from now on no verbal communication about anything aside from palace affairs while we're inside. If we need to communicate about other matters use written notes. Do you understand?"

Mora nodded firmly.

"You never did tell me, what's with the basket?"

"Oh, this?" Mora said, holding up the small wicker basket. "The Queen has sent me on an errand to the forest to pick up some nara berries, after I drop her gown off at the tailor's first.

Barriss looked around in contemplation for a beat and then reached inside her cloak and pulled out a palm-sized glowing cubical shaped artifact. Mora could not take her eyes off it, she was fascinated by its intricate features and soft warm blue glow. "Oh, it's beautiful! What is it?" She asked.

"It's a holocron, a data storage device that can only be activated by a Force user. I've… placed some important information on it for Ruvino in case something was to happen for me. I couldn't bring myself to give it to him earlier… But perhaps while you're out today can you deliver it to him at his residence? Tell him he is only to access it if something happens to me, also inform him of the situation here at the palace." Barriss then explained to Mora how to get to Ruvino's house from the palace. Once she was confident the handmaiden understood her instructions she parted ways with her. She wondered if she had made the wisest choice entrusting Mora to deliver such a sensitive device to Ruvino, but her feelings said putting the two of them together today would both do them some good, and she could not help but smile.

Godspeed, brave handmaiden, Barriss thought, watching Mora descend from the marble palace steps before stepping inside.

Mora emerged outside the tailor's shop after successfully dropping off Queen Servana's gown for mending. It would not be ready for pickup for at least 2 hours, that should give her more than enough time to pick up some berries, and deliver to Ruvino that cube device. What did Milady Offee call it? A holocron?

Walking down the city streets she happened across a large Imperial armored vehicle with a repeating blaster on top manned by a gunner in full combat gear. She must have caught his eye because he lifted his goggles over his helmet and waved to her.

"Hey there cutie! You serving the Empire?" The gunner asked, pointing to her handmaiden attire.

A bit frightened, and not wanting any trouble, Mora bowed to him. "Yes, I am a Royal handmaiden of Queen Servana."

The gunner grinned and gave Mora an approving nod with a thumbs up before going back to observing the citizens going about their daily business.

This is what the Empire has brought to Naboo, she thought, thinking about the unpleasantries of seeing armed Imperial troops in the once quiet and peaceful city streets of Theed.

Wanting to focus on something more pleasant, Mora thoughts shifted to Ruvino. There were a couple boys she knew in school growing up she had crushes on, but nothing as powerful as what she felt when Ruvino had saved her life, and it was all she could think about during her free time.

A liquid popping sound and the feeling of something striking her chest brought her out of her daydreams. Mora stopped and looked down at her chest and saw yellow egg yolk running down her cloak. A teenage boy pointed to her and shouted: "Traitor!"

Fearing for her life, Mora began sprinting down the street and turned a corner, she was not pursued, which she thanked the Force for small favors. She looked down at herself once more; the yolk had spread down the entire length of her outer garment.

"First Permé," Mora groaned, "and now I'm being pelted by eggs." It was hardly the life she imagined she'd have when she became a handmaiden of the Royal court. She envisioned a life of rewarding service, palace glamor, and making new friends. Well, she had made a few new friends: Dolamé, and Barriss Offee; the second most powerful person in the Empire.

The handmaiden began walking again, she wasn't far from Ruvino's home. Rows of homes lined the narrow road she was passing through. Each of the stone buildings were topped with various shaped domes and finials made from green labradorite, a traditional Nubian architectural staple.

Mora noticed one of the new Imperial anti-Rebel Alliance propaganda posters had freshly been hung up on a nearby wall. It featured a depiction of a very ominous looking Padmé Amidala looming over the city of Theed. One of her hands was working the strings of a marionette of Queen Apailana in front of the Royal palace. "The string puller of the Rebellion," the text at the bottom read.

How ironic, Mora thought with disdain while gazing at the poster, unable to help thinking the poster might have been a subtle mocking gesture to anyone who knew the real truth, the nightmarish truth that Emperor Palpatine was the string puller of Queen Servana.

While studying the sardonic piece of Imperial propaganda hanging on the wall, Mora witnessed a young boy about the age 12 run over to the poster and began spraying it with a can of red spray paint.

"No," the voice of an elderly man called out from behind.

The boy ceased his defacement of the poster and turned.

"If you're going to do it, do it right," the man said while holding his hand out.

The boy reluctantly surrendered his spray paint to the elderly gentleman.

Both Mora and the boy watched as the man spray painted the letter "V" in galactic basic across the front of the poster.

"V, for victory!" He declared, pointing sternly with his index finger. "The Naboo will know freedom! Now go and tell your friends!"

The man then returned to the boy his can pf spray paint. After the boy had dashed away he faced Mora.

"I was a veteran of the Royal Defense Forces during the Battle of Naboo when the Trade Federation attacked us. Are you going to turn me in for vandalizing Imperial property young handmaiden?"

The thought never occurred to Mora. "No," came her simple reply.

The man seemed surprised at her response, but nodded gently in approval before Mora resumed walking once more.

What she just witnessed was a powerful sight she would not soon forget. It was perhaps the tell-tale preview of things to come, which could be a full-blown insurrection Mora pondered.

Despite the warm weather, Mora suddenly felt a cold chill grip her body. She involuntarily shuddered and drew her cloak around her some more, her heels clicking loudly against the pavement as she quickened her pace, unable to shake the unsettling feeling someone – or something was watching her.

Gripping the hood of her cloak tightly, she turned her head but could not find a soul in sight.

At long last Mora had made her way to the Andrierrie family residence. It was a modest two-story home with two tall windows parallel to one another on the front side. After walking up the short stairway leading to the front door she took hold of the simple ringed doorknocker and announced her presence.

After a few moments the door opened slightly and Mora saw a woman with dark brown hair worn freely staring back at her. "Hello, can I help you?" The woman said gently.

"Hello, I'm sorry to disturb you, but is Ruvino at home? I'm Mora Aventine, a handmaiden of the Royal Court," Mora introduced while grabbing hold of the sides of her skirt and performing a curtsy greeting.

The woman paused and blinked for a second. "I'm sorry, d-did you say you were a handmaiden of the Queen? My daughter?"

"Yes."

The woman then opened the door fully and gestured for Mora to come inside.

"Welcome to the Andrierrie family home. I'm Athala, Ruvino and Mirala's mother. How is my daughter? And what brings you here?" Athala spoke in a soft but concerned demeanor.

Mora stepped inside and set down the empty wicker basket she was carrying. Unsure of what to say to Athala, she decided to keep it simple. "I can tell you she is alive and breathing… What do you know?"

"I know that bastard of an Emperor kidnapped my daughter, warped her mind and turned her into some… Some… My Gods, I-I can't say it," Athala's voice bristled with scorn and indignation.

"It's all right, I know what the Emperor has done to her… And I'm trying to help. Your son, me and Milady Offee, we're all trying to help."

"So… The three of you, you're working with her, the Jedi who's here on Naboo?"

Mora desperately wanted to give this woman some form of personal assurance, to ease her worries in some way. For now, her word would have to be enough. "Yes, we're working together to free Mirala. It… May take time, but we won't rest until she's free."

"And in the meantime, still you serve my daughter loyally, even though the people throw rotten eggs at her Royal emblem?" Athala said, calling attention to the now drying egg yolk that had run down Mora's cloak.

The handmaiden suddenly became self-conscious and sighed. "Yes, I was pelted by some teenage hooligan on the way over here, please excuse my appearance."

Mora's words were quite disheartening to Athala. Nevertheless, she kept up a brave face, for her own sake.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for," Athala said, "I'm just glad you weren't hurt, please let me take your cloak, I can clean that up for you. Please, I insist."

Wanting to be a good guest, Mora pulled her hood back and unclipped her cloak from her shoulders and handed it to Athala. "Oh! That's very generous of you. Thank you!"

Athala took notice of a developing bruise on her cheek, and she knew there was only one way a bruise like that could have caused by. She approached the handmaiden with a look of growing concern. "What happened to you?"

Mora's jaw dropped slightly and she took in a breath of surprise. She had all but forgotten about the welt on her face. "This?" She asked bringing a hand to her cheek before looking away in shame.

"It's-It's nothing."

Athala set down Mora's cloak and placed a hand on her shoulder. "My young lady… I've been around a while, I know a thing or two. And I know when someone has been struck. What happened?"

Mora pondered on what to say, and again recalled her mother's teachings about always telling the truth. She nodded to herself before looking up at Athala's warm and compassionate almond eyes. "The Chief Handmaiden, Permé, she bullies me. Today I did something that displeased her… And she hit me."

"Did you report it?"

"…No"

"My dear… You need to tell someone! You can't galvanize this Permé! If you don't do something about it she'll keep on doing it! And it will only get worse for you, believe me… I know."

Mora glanced back at Athala suddenly. "What can I do? We're not exactly a sisterly bunch, I only have one friend there, and Permé, for some reason the Emperor has taken a liking to her, so she won't be dismissed."

"I'm not surprised, after all the Emperor takes notice of wickedness," Athala commented while crossing her arms.

"I'll be all right Mrs. Andrierrie, please, don't worry about me."

"But, I do worry. Dear… Please," Athala then gave Mora a concerned look, her eyes displaying a certain wisdom behind them.

"Milady Offee, she looks out for me when I'm in her presence. Please, don't worry, I know things will work out in the end. If there's one thing I know, is that people like Permé eventually get their comeuppance, always."

The handmaiden spoke so sure of herself, nevertheless, Athala remained concerned for the young woman's safety.

Mora had been so caught up in conversation she nearly forgot about the holocron. Reaching for her cloak she pulled it from its resting place inside one of the pockets.

Athala stared at the artifact in intrepid curiosity. "What's that?"

"It's…" Mora struggled to remember the exact word. "A holocron! A data storage device only Jedi's can access. It contains a message from Milady Offee to Ruvino."

Athala reached for the holocron and touched it with her fingers. Never having seen an object like it before, she gazed at it with an almost childlike sense of wonder. After several seconds of admiring the holocron's intricate construction and features, Athala once more turned her attention to the handmaiden. "And how do you know my son?" She questioned moving and picking up Mora's cloak. "Are you his girlfriend?"

Mora's cheeks turned bright red. "No, I'm not his girlfriend. We met the other night, he saved my life actually."

Athala looked perplexed. Ruvino keeping secrets from me again? That boy, I swear! "What happened?"

"I was in the forest, a glowl wolf appeared. I thought I was going to be eaten, but Ruvino intervened and saved me with his lightsaber."

Athala's eyes grew wide. "Oh, heavens! I'm glad you weren't hurt! And I'm going to have to have a little word with my son, he needs to tell me more about what goes on in his life! Anyway, I'll go get this cleaned up for you, I should have it ready for you in an hour or so."

An hour? Mora thought, her eyes falling to the wicker basket she had set down. "Oh, I don't know if I can wait that long. I need to go to the forest to pick some nara berries for…" Mora stopped herself mid-sentence when she realized who she was talking to.

"My daughter, she loves nara berries." Athala chuckled. "Oh, she'll eat them with a lot of different foods. She always must have them freshly picked however, never from the market. She insists the market one's taste differently…" Athala's heart became heavy recollecting happier memories with her daughter. She could almost hear her cheerful voice calling to her in the back of her mind.

Mora placed a supportive hand on the side of Athala's mom. It was obvious to her that Mirala's mother was suffering terribly, despite trying to hide it by being strong. "It's all right Mrs. Andrierrie, we'll get her back. I promise!"

Athala could not help but smile, this young woman was compassionate, kind, and she could see a carefully veiled gallantry behind her sharp hazel eyes. She reminded her very much of herself when she was a young woman.

"Mora" Athala began, "while you attend to your errand in the forest, why don't you ask Ruvino to join you? I'm sure he'd love to come."

A surprised Mora quickly brought her hands to her gown and looked down at herself. "Oh! But, I can't step outside without my cloak, it would be a violation of our dress code…"

"Well… Why don't you change into one of Mirala's outfits for the occasion? Her and you are just about the same size."

Mora was caught off guard by Athala's suggestion. "Oh no! I couldn't possibly!"

"It's all right dear, that black and silver really doesn't seem to match up with your soul anyway," Athala commented, pointing at the handmaiden's solemn regalia.

Mora's cheeks blushed in response. Holding he hands together out in front she nodded prudently, not wanting to rudely refuse Athala's insistence.

"Well, Ruvino is upstairs in his room, it's the first one on the left, why don't you go surprise him?"

Mora hesitated for a moment before glancing up at the small balcony above her. "All right," she said moving towards the stairway and walking up in a careful manner.

Athala watched the handmaiden take slow and careful steps. She seems like a sweet girl, she just needs a little more confidence. I hope she'll be all right back at the palace.

Ruvino was sitting cross-legged on his bed with his hands resting palms up on top of either knee. He was locked in a meditation trance. He could sense a second presence had entered the house a short time ago, it was a familiar presence. Initially he thought his master had returned, but no, there was something different about this particular presence, and he felt it drawing closer, he sensed a nervous anticipation, but was it coming from him, or the person approaching?

Mora had reached Ruvino's bedroom door. She thought about knocking, but she was overcome by a sudden boldly urge. Brazenly, she turned the doorknob and carefully opened the door just enough where she could peek inside with one eye. She saw him sitting on his bed with his eyes closed. Her heart began thumping hard against her ribs. Should I do it?

Boldly, Mora pushed the bedroom door opened and stepped inside.

Ruvino could feel the presence inching closer still to him, he could almost hear its rapid heartbeat.

"Hi!" Mora exclaimed nervously, and excitedly.

Ruvino's eyes sprang open, and very nearly fell off his bed at the sound of her voice.

Mora responded with a helpless little laugh. "Oh, please don't fall off! I'm sorry Ruvino, I just wanted to surprise you!"

The young man caught his breath – and his balance. "Well, you certainly did!" I guess my senses aren't as attuned as I thought… Ruvino looked around at his messy room, suddenly pushing himself off the bed and began picking up his scattered clothes. "If I had known you were coming I would have picked up a little!"

After throwing his clothes without care into the closet he turned to Mora. "So, what brings you to our humble home?"

"Milady Offee wanted me to inform you, the Emperor is installing listening devices inside the palace. It's possible he may be growing suspicious."

Suspicious? Ruvino thought with worry. "We'll have to be on our guard then."

"And," Mora said, holding her hand out, "Milady Offee wanted me to deliver this to you. It's… A holocron, a data storage device that only Jedi can access. There's a message from her on it for you."

"Really!?" Ruvino then reached out for the holocron before Mora pulled it back.

"Wait! She said you can only access it if something happens to her."

"What!?" The Jedi Padawan fussed.

"Please, promise me Ruvino, or I won't give it to you!" Mora teased, her voice becoming flirtatious.

"I promise," Ruvino answered without pause. The tone of her voice making him want to do whatever she asked.

Satisfied, Mora offered the holocron to the Jedi Padawan. "Very well, you may have it."

Ruvino grinned and took hold of the cubical holocron, studied it for a few seconds and then tucked it away inside his nightstand next to his bed. He froze shortly after closing the wooden drawer. Mora looked different. Did she have a mark on her face? He turned around and looked at her face closely – his observation confirmed. He could see the beginning formation of what appeared to be a fresh bruise on her left cheek, a bruise that could only have been caused by someone striking her. A hot and fiery volcano began to belly deep within him.

Ruvino quickly moved to Mora's side. "What on Naboo… What happened to your face? You've been hurt," he commented softly, but fiercely.

Mora closed her eyes and looked away. Shame gripping her. Why must everyone point this out? She thought. Suddenly she felt a gentle hand cup her cheek and gently rotated it back towards Ruvino. His gaze was serious, and his eyes burned with anger.

Ruvino was a Jedi Padawan; a protector of the innocent, and right now he wanted to know who it was who had hurt the lovely and innocent creature before him.

"Who did this to you?"

All Mora could do was whisper Permé's name.

Upon hearing it, he burned that infamous name into his memory. Permé… Permé… Permé… He slowly turned his head and stared at his lightsaber hilt resting on his desk. He wanted to take it, march over to the palace, teach that Permé a lesson, rescue his sister, and return home and live a peaceful life. But, recalling his master's teachings, he restrained himself. He focused his gaze back upon Mora. Her features soft and beautiful. Ruvino took his right hand and gently caressed her wounded cheek.

"Who could ever hurt that beautiful face?"

Mora was taken aback by his words. "Do you really think that?"

"Think what?"

"That I have a beautiful face?"

"Of course!"

Would you kiss me? Mora wanted to ask him, but thought better of it.

"Let me show you something Master Offee taught me." Ruvino then closed his eyes, his right hand still touching Mora's bruised cheek. He focused his concentration on the Force until he could feel it moving to his will. Like a vast current, he was now manipulating it to travel in the direction he willed it to.

"Don't be afraid," Ruvino said gently.

"I'm not afraid," Mora declared, her heat beating faster.

Mora began to feel a soothing energy flow from Ruvino's hand into her face. It luminesced a soft blue. It was not a feeling she was unaccustomed to. She had felt it once before, when Barriss healed her injured ankle. It was a peaceful and almost blissful feeling. Mora could not help but close her eyes and revel in it. And then it was gone.

"Take a look in the mirror," Ruvino prompted.

Mora opened her eyes and turned to see her reflection; to her astonishment, the bruise was gone. She rushed over to the mirror and touched her face. She quickly turned around, her face beaming. "Oh, is there anything you Jedi can't do!?"

Ruvino chuckled. "Well, I am still just a Padawan learner."

Mora impulsively dashed up to Ruvino and threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Master Jedi!"

Ruvino returned her embrace and held her against him.

"I have to go out to the forest and pick some nara berries, would you like to come with me?" Mora asked while pulling away from him.

"Nara berries? Those are Mirala's favorite."

"So, I've been told by your mother. Mirala – her Highness has sent me on an errand to pick some fresh ones."

"Have you been looking after her?"

"Yes, I have, I follow her like a shadow, protecting her from danger, and I'm always there to see to her needs."

Ruvino's expression was sullen, he nodded and let out a small sigh, thinking about Mirala and the wickedness that had befallen her. Then his thoughts trailed to Mora, and how she had been struck across the face by Permé.

"But, who is going to protect you from danger?" He asked, genuinely concerned for Mora's safety.

His question took Mora by surprise. She turned her face shyly to the floor and glanced up at him with her hazel eyes. "Ruvino," she began softly, "it's a handmaiden's duty to protect her Queen, with her very life if necessary."

"I realize that, but with a Jedi Knight by your side, then no harm shall come to either the Queen, or her good handmaidens. I'm not so sure about the wicked one however."

A sudden bit of laughter erupted from Mora. Ruvino for his part could not resist the urge to smile and snicker also as a much-needed air of levity filled the room.

After the moment was over Ruvino spoke. "Well, shall we go to the forest? We can ride my speeder bike."

Ride on his speeder bike? That was something Mora wanted to do ever since she heard he had one the other night. He enthusiastically took her by the hand and began leading her out of the bedroom before she pulled back.

"Wait, I can't go out like this. My cloak got dirtied, your mother is kindly cleaning it for me. I'll need to change clothes."

"Did you bring any?"

"Actually," Mora paused, "your mother suggested I wear something of your sister's."

Ruvino's jaw dropped. Moving to the edge of the balcony, he peered down and looked for his mother, but saw no sign of her. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about the idea, he looked to his left and studied Mora. She looked to be about the same size as his sister. She was slender and petite. But the idea of Mora wearing something of his sister's felt very awkward for him. However, given the circumstances, there was no better option.

"Well, Mirala's room is just right across there to the right," Ruvino pointed.

Mora nodded and began walking towards it. "All right, I'll be back out in a little bit, thanks!"

After Mora disappeared Ruvino looked down at himself and noticed he looked a little disheveled. He retreated to his bedroom and decided to make himself look a little more presentable for her. He was a Jedi Padawan now after all.

Mora gently closed the door behind her and gazed around Mirala's bedroom. The entire room had been painted in a cheerful light-yellow color, which gave the room a welcoming and warm glow. There were a couple holographs hanging on the wall, one of which was Mirala standing with her graduating school class.

Mora approached a shelf that had several stuffed animals on it. She picked up one and examined it before setting it back on its resting place.

One thing Mora could instantly ascertain was that Mirala was a much more orderly and tidy person than her brother. I have work to do with that man.

Being inside Mirala's bedroom was a surreal feeling for the woman that was her handmaiden. She was viewing a glimpse of Mirala's soul she otherwise would not be able to see given the current and grim circumstances.

Stepping over to the closet, Mora opened the doors and began carefully shifting through the various articles of clothing.

After a short while Ruvino was waiting downstairs. He was nervously fidgeting and brushing his clothes.

"If you keep rubbing that shirt like that you're going to wear it out," Athala commented, stepping into the room.

"Oh, sorry, I'm just a little nervous."

Athala came over and began adjusting her son's cloak. "Relax my dear, you'll do just fine. Remember to be good to her, me and your father raised you to be a proper gentleman now."

"Yes, mom."

While she adjusted his cloak, Ruvino could see a hint of sadness in his mother's eyes at the mention of his father. After she had finished her primping she stepped back and nodded once. "There, now you look presentable for a fine lady."

There was the sound of a door opening and closing from above the balcony. Ruvino glanced up and saw Mora descending from the stairs. She had changed into a casual pale blue short sleeved sundress with a modest neckline and skirt that fell to just above her ankles. Her chestnut hair was now free from being held up in a bun and was worn down, with the top pulled into a half-ponytail tied back with a large yellow ribbon arranged into a bow. Her long wavy bangs remained parted in the middle and draped over either side of her face.

Ruvino stood in abject shock. Here was the most breathtaking creature in all Naboo, and she was standing right there, inside his living room before him. "You look beautiful," he said breathlessly.

"You're looking rather dapper yourself," she said picking up the wicker basket from the its resting place.

Dapper? It was a word that had never been used to describe Ruvino before. He had opted for a blue pullover shirt that had a removable plastron on the front made of the same fabric, dark brown pants, and tall brown boots. A navy-blue cloak completed his ensemble

With a smile, Ruvino took the lead and led Mora out the front the door. Athala looked on in pride. He looks happy, maybe the dark clouds are finally lifting? For her sake, Athala hoped that was true.

Mora placed the wicker basket in the rear storage compartment of the speeder bike and mounted it just behind Ruvino.

"Hold onto to me Mora, we're going to be going pretty fast!" Ruvino spoke over his shoulder just before revving the engine.

Mora slipped her arms around Ruvino's stomach and clutched onto him tightly in anticipation. "I'm ready!" She announced.

Ruvino grinned and pulled back on the throttle – Like a majestic steed, the speeder bike leapt out of its resting place and onto the adjacent city street. In just a matter of minutes the pair found themselves on the bridge crossing over the river Verend – the same river Padmé Amidala crossed while leading the charge to liberate Naboo from the Trade Federation.

A thrilled Mora let out a whoop as Ruvino's speeder bike quickly moved up and down a few steep hills. Her hair whipping in the air like the mane of a wild steed. "Oh, I love this!" She exclaimed without any reticence.

After climbing one last hill Ruvino hit the brake and pulled the speeder bike into a stop. The pair dismounted and Ruvino offered his hand, which Mora gladly took. "Come, there's something I want to show you!" He said while leading her over to small cluster of trees with nara berries growing from their stems.

Mora's curiosity ran high with both anticipation and wonder, she knew Ruvino wasn't here to show her berries.

After a very short trek, the two emerged from the tree line and found themselves above a high ravine overlooking the city of Theed below them.

To Mora, it felt like she was gazing down from the cloud tops at the beautiful city below her feet. She could clearly see the Verend and the surrounding hills and waterfalls flowing into it. Mora could also make out the Royal palace, and various other buildings gleaming in the sunlight.

"Oh, Ruvino, this is so… Breathtaking!"

Ruvino looked at Mora with a tender smile. The perfect word I'd use to describe you, he thought. "I know! Not a day goes by where I don't feel like we live on the most beautiful planet in the entire galaxy. Naboo is our dear home, and it's worth protecting. This spot is where I come to when I need to just be alone and think. It's sort of a sanctuary. My father used to take me here when I was little…"

Mora could hear a hint of sadness in Ruvino's voice. "What happened to him if you don't mind my asking?"

Ruvino paused for a beat. "He served in the RSF, he was killed when the Empire invaded," he said while gazing out at the city.

Mora was overcome with sympathy and felt self-conscious about asking him such a question. "I'm sorry, I didn't know," her voice became as soft and gentle as the breeze brushing through her hair.

Ruvino turned, looking out at Theed. "It's all right," he said shortly before sitting down on the grass. Mora followed suit and removed her shoes, enjoying the feel of the soft grass beneath her toes and feet.

The pair watched and admired the serene and almost illusory beauty of the city and the surrounding foliage around them. Whenever he came to this place, Ruvino always felt he was a bird flying freely over the city, for years it had been his way of escaping the everyday troubles of his life.

"We truly live on the most beautiful planet in the galaxy," Mora stated matter-of-factly.

Ruvino looked to his right and took in the sight of the gorgeous woman beside him. "I would never argue that." He thought the setting around them was perfectly reflective of Mora's beauty.

Mora's face turned sheepish and she giggled softly, picking up that Ruvino was also referring to her in his statement.

Without thinking, Ruvino picked up a nearby flower with a large white puffball and gently blew on it until the white orb was transfigured into an array of spraying confetti. Reaching out with his hand he called on the Force to manipulate the florets so that they moved in slow motion.

Mora gazed at the sight in awe and wonder. "Oh, that is so beautiful! How are you doing this!?" Mora then reached out and moved her hand through the traveling florets.

"Through the Force, all living things are bound to it. It flows freely everywhere through each and every living thing in our universe. A Jedi has the ability to control the Force, it's what gives him his power," Ruvino explained.

"It's-it's like magic!" Mora mused.

Ruvino then released the florets, allowing them to be carried away by the wind. His hand gently brushed over Mora's as it rested on the grass. His unexpected touch grazing her skin felt like a velvet caress, sending warm tremors throughout her body.

Ruvino met Mora's gaze with a charming smile. "So, I'm curious, why did you become a handmaiden?"

Mora then explained to Ruvino what she had told Barriss a few nights ago during their trek through the forest. Afterwards, Ruvino went on to ask her more questions about her life.

"Do you have any hidden talents? Because I have a feeling you do," Ruvino predicted.

"Well…" Mora began coyly, "I do play the piano."

"You're a musician!?" Ruvino beamed.

Mora snickered nervously. "My parents are great patrons of the arts. They insisted I learn as a child, but I never went professional. Instead I wanted to do civil service. But I still find time to play when I can."

"Ah, so, when this is all over and peace and freedom is restored to the galaxy, have you given any thought to what you might do afterwards?" Ruvino asked.

It was a question Mora had not given much thought about. She honestly was too concerned about the present to worry about the future. "Well, I'm not sure… I haven't thought about it really. With all that has been going on in the present. But, I know I want to do something in civil service."

"Civil service?"

"Yes, maybe a diplomat, or perhaps a teacher, I don't know. I really feel the need to give back to the community."

Ruvino took a moment to admire the purity within Mora's heart. He found it to be most attractive. "That's a very noble quality. I know within each of us lies the moral courage to make the future of Naboo their personal responsibility," Ruvino stated resolutely. "And," he continued, "speaking of civil service, I don't like the way we emphasize an almost mandatory civil service on Naboo."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I think it should be completely voluntary. I understand we use civil service as a means for youth to learn and develop skills, and to grow in maturity so they can vote. But I think this puts undo pressure on them to perform. I know by law no one is required to do civil service, but it might as well be the law given you can't get anywhere in Nubian society without completing some form of civil service. It's almost like those societies who practice conscription."

Mora cocked her head to the side. "You're comparing compulsory military service where you're trained to kill, to public and civil service where you serve the body politic? That's a flawed comparison."

"Allow me to rephrase. Before we can vote we must pass aptitude tests that determine our maturity level, right?"

Mora nodded.

"Well, by that definition every Nubian has the naturally given right to vote, they just need to be at a certain maturity level to do so. But why should it be a given right? Why not earn it through understanding civic virtue and sacrifice through voluntary civil service? After serving for a couple of years you then earn the right to vote and run for political office."

Mora shook her head and chuckled. "But, that is the current system we employ! You're just wording it differently Ruvino."

Frustrated, Ruvino sighed. Perhaps he was articulating his thoughts with the wrong words? "No, what I mean is in order to vote and run for political office you need to demonstrate a certain selflessness of character. It really isn't so much about 'earning' the right to do those things. It's about demonstrating that the individual is willing to put the well-being of the society before their own, in the hopes that this would make for a better society."

"But is that not what we look for in the Monarch of Naboo? We look for purity of heart above all else," Mora argued.

"Is that really enough? What about experience? Is that not equally important? And how do we know someone has a pure heart? Look at Loriana, the Naboo thought her heart was pure, but she turned out to be one of the most corrupt Queens in our history," Ruvino countered.

"I wonder what happened to her… I wonder what it was that corrupted her heart so?"

"Either she started out with a good heart that was corrupted later… Or maybe she was wicked all along and just cleverly disguised it? All the more reason why we perhaps need to make an adjustment to the system to truly test one's character, because civil service is the ultimate duty, not just a stepping stone in your life."

"Ruvino the philanthropist!" Mora stated with a smile, the exchange of ideas between the pair felt like a form of foreplay to them.

"Well, I don't know, I'm not a politician… That was always Mirala's domain," Ruvino said with a hint of sadness.

"So, you're in favor of moving Naboo even more towards being a meritocracy then?" Mora asked.

"I think it's what's needed. Perhaps I'm just a naive idealist, I just don't want Naboo to raise another Palpatine ever again," Ruvino's voice took on an acrimonious tone.

"He's an anomaly. And for every Palpatine, Naboo raises thousands of Amidala's! He doesn't stand a chance against that!"

Ruvino stared at Mora and studied her expression. She appeared steadfast and confident in her assertion, and her gaze grew more penetrating, as if she was daring him to challenge her views. He smiled, enjoying the engaging debate between them as if it were a sort of foreplay. "Well, I'm not saying I disagree with you, because I do agree with you."

Mora straightened her shoulders and grinned, letting out a satisfied "hmph" while doing so.

Ruvino could not help but laugh at her reaction. "Has anyone ever said how adorable you are?"

Mora blushed at his compliment. "Oh, I, no, you're the first," she admitted.

"Such a crime then," he said a charming smile that made her heart bounce.

After a few moments of silence, Mora spoke up again. "And how about you Ruvino? Do you have any dreams or aspirations?"

Ruvino drew in a breath as he was about to tell her his life's story. "Well, when I was a boy I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps by joining the Royal Defense Forces. I, like you wished to serve our Queen honorably. But my father was a little hesitant on allowing me to enlist. My mother the other day, she told me her and father knew of my talent with the Force. They did a midi-chlorian count on me when I was born. Midi-chlorians basically determine if you have Force sensitivity, the higher your count, the higher your sensitivity to the Force. Anyway, the doctor owed my father a favor, and he persuaded the doctor not to inform the Jedi Order. He was afraid if I enlisted in the RSF, I might be discovered by the Emperor…"

Mora gasped in terror.

Ruvino continued. "My father eventually gave way however, the day before I was planning to enlist the Empire attacked Naboo… Later by chance, I met Master Offee, who sensed my Force potential and took me as her secret Padawan learner. And the rest as they say is history." Ruvino purposefully left out he met his Master because she caught him stealing bread from the market. He did not want Mora to think of him as a petty thief, nor call attention to the fact his family was poor.

Mora tilted her head, her hair flowing with the wind. "How did you feel about your parents hiding you from the Jedi?"

"I was a little angry to be honest. I mean, I always knew I had this ability to manipulate objects, I just assumed it was like some sort of telekinesis, I didn't realize it was because I possess the exact same gift the Jedi do. In the end though, their decision to keep me hidden may have saved my life… Given how the Jedi were exterminated a couple years ago," Ruvino said ominously.

"No thanks to the Emperor," Mora commented, a hint of anger in her tone.

"I hate him," Ruvino stated coldly. "He took everything from me… My father, my sister, our planet's freedom. He's going to meet justice someday Mora. I promise you."

Mora instinctively reached up and rubbed Ruvino's back in a gesture of comfort and solidarity. "It'll be all right," her voice softened.

Ruvino glanced over and broke into a small smile, how could he not after gazing upon her lovely and angelic features? Without thinking, he took his hand and gently brushed his thumb over her cheek – her skin felt smooth and soft, reminding him of rose petals. I wonder if the rest of her feels that way? He thought, secretly wanting to find out.

Mora pulled away from Ruvino and leaned back against the grass, giving him a flirtatious smile while doing so.

"So, when you're not training to be a Jedi, what do you do?" She asked, wanting to know more about him.

"I sometimes play sabacc in my free time. I'm quite good actually!" Ruvino said with confidence.

"Really!?" Mora said, thoroughly impressed. "I tried to play sabacc a few times, I'm not good at it though."

"I could teach you. I am a master player after all. Once I won a very rare deck of Nubian sabacc cards that are over 200 years old! The only ones of their kind. I can show them to you sometime."

"What!? That's a planetary treasure!" A stunned Mora gasped.

"Well, perhaps I will donate them to a museum someday."

"You better!" Mora said while slapping Ruvino on the arm playfully.

"Hey!" Ruvino shouted, playfully smacking Mora on the shoulder back.

The young woman erupted into a fit of giggles before leaping to her feet and running into the woods. Her heart raced, wanting Ruvino to pursue her.

"Mora!" Ruvino called as the maiden vanished into the small cluster of trees. Rushing after her, he traced the path he saw her take before losing sight of her. Closing his eyes and extending his hand he attempted to ascertain Mora's location. Although he could feel her presence nearby, he could not pinpoint where exactly she was.

"I have so much to learn," he said with an exasperated sigh before moving through the woods.

As the Ruvino navigated through the woods he could hear a few birds talking and flapping their wings through the tree line, but no sign of Mora.

Without warning, he felt a pair of arms slip around his waist.

"Hey!" Mora said.

Ruvino became motionless. He had been bested by the handmaiden.

"It would appear you have me at a disadvantage," The Jedi Padawan stated, a hint of suggestiveness in his voice.

"It certainly appears that way," Mora whispered softly against his ear.

Ruvino involuntarily shuddered in response, the sensation of feeling her warm breath against his ear filled him with desire. But he kept his emotions in check. He would not surrender himself to his more basic emotions. He was in control, a master of his being, but Mora was certainly tempting him right now. He turned around and met the handmaiden's gaze, and when he did, he felt his self-control slipping. Just seeing into her eyes was almost spellbinding for him.

Mora wanted Ruvino to kiss her. Her eyes implored for it, and for a moment, it appeared as if he was going to, but the Jedi Padawan looked away when he heard a bird cawing loudly above them, falling from its talons was a nara berry. Ruvino held his hand out and caught the sweet fruit in his hand. As he held it his thoughts dwelled on Mirala.

"I remember Mirala used to throw these at me when we were kids sometimes. Oh, she could be quite the little miscreant at times back when we were little. We used to drive our parents crazy," Ruvino reminisced, a somewhat sad smile forming over his face.

"You'll get the chance to relive those memories again," Mora said with confident assurance.

Ruvino glanced up, his jaw firm. "I swear on my fallen father, that will come to pass." After a few seconds he released the purple colored fruit from his fingers. "Hey, we need to pick some berries before we get too carried away here."

"We?" Mora questioned. "Are you volunteering?"

"Perhaps," Ruvino answered with a sly smile.

Mora turned and retrieved the wicker basket from the speeder bike. With a mischievous smile she threw the basket at him. "Think fast!"

Ruvino held his hand out and stopped the basket with the Force before gliding it gently into his hand. He raised an eyebrow and shot Mora a rather cocky smile.

"That's cheating!" She protested, crossing her arms in front of her.

In response, Ruvino took a bow.

"Well, Master Jedi, why don't you put those abilities to good use, hmm? Let's see how good you really are!" Mora then began picking berries and started tossing a few his way.

Extending his will into the Force, Ruvino could feel every fruit coming his way. With the basket in one hand, and with his other extended slightly in front of him, he carefully guided each savory berry into the basket. He looked upon it as a game – one which he was determined to win.

"Impressive! But can you keep up?" Mora asked teasingly before quickening her pace.

Despite his aptitude, Ruvino was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up, suddenly one of the berries pelted him square in the forehead. "Ah, Mora!" He called out before setting the basket down and calling a few berries into his hand from a nearby tree. He then tossed several Mora's way.

The young woman ducked and dodged and erupted into a fit of giggles as the two engaged each other in an innocent battle contest determined with fruit.

A few berries managed to strike Mora gently on the chest. "You'll need to do better than that!" She said determinedly before launching a handful of berries at Ruvino – her volley met its mark, hitting him in the chest.

"Ack!" Ruvino cried out before raising his hands. "All right, I surrender to you!"

Mora pumped her fist in the air triumphantly with a smile as wide as the outer rim.

"You may have won today, but next time you won't be so lucky," Ruvino stated while approaching Mora.

Before he could reach her, unexpectedly, and suddenly, Mora felt as if she could hear Permé's voice in the back of her mind berating her for being late, and the last thing she wanted to do was incur her wrath. Her triumphant smile quickly gave way to a morose expression.

"What's the matter?" Ruvino inquired, stopping in front of Mora.

Mora felt the weight of responsibility pull on her shoulders. "I need to get back to the palace before I'm late, otherwise Permé will have a fit."

Ruvino stopped, his eyes reflected a burning fire. If she lays another finger on Mora, I will storm through the palace gates, cut past the guards, and kill her, and then I will carry Mirala out of there. "Maybe I should just storm the palace now and get it over with," he growled.

Mora held up a hand and pressed it to his chest. She had to act as a voice of reason, calming him down. "If you do that, they'll kill you Ruvino! You know that, and I know that. We need to work with the Resistance to make it all happen. If we have their support than our chances of success are much greater. Please, don't be a martyr. If something were to happen to you, who's going to save Mirala then?"

Ruvino took a long look at Mora's almost desperately pleading hazel eyes. With an inward breath he calmed himself. She's right, but he hated being patient. I'll just need to train harder, and faster. He was however not only concerned for Mirala, but also Mora. "And what about you? I worry about you now."

"I'll be all right, I'm a fighter. And I promise to keep watch over Mirala," Mora replied.

Ruvino took Mora's hand, which was still pressed against his chest and held it before leading her back to his speeder back, with the wicker basket now in tow, he gently placed it inside the storage compartment before mounting his bike, and Mora quickly retrieved her shoes before she positioned herself behind him on the bike.

While revving the engine he once more felt Mora's arms slip around his waist, but it felt different this time. It felt more secure, loving. It was as if she was drawing him close to her heart, not wanting to let go. And he could feel her head resting gently against his shoulder shortly before taking off.

During the entire ride back into the city she remained this way. Ruvino could not help but ponder what she might be thinking. He wasn't telepathic, but he could sense warm and tender affections from her.

"We're here," Ruvino said softly after pulling alongside his house and cutting the engine. The pair dismounted and Mora retrieved her basket.

The two of them entered the home and were greeted kindly by Athala.

"Welcome home you two! Did you have a good outing?"

Ruvino and Mora shared a glance before looking back over at Athala.

"Yes, very much so," Ruvino stated with a tender smile, which his mother returned.

"Good, I'm glad! Oh, Mora your cloak is ready, if you'd like to change back into your uniform I will go get it for you."

It was a statement Mora did not want to hear, as putting on her handmaiden attire would mean she would have to return from wonderland to the real world. But it could not continue forever, she had duties she could not ignore. "Thank you for your hospitality Mrs. Andrierrie."

"And thank you, young lady, heaven knows my son could use a good woman in his life besides me."

"Mom!" Ruvino shouted with embarrassment.

Mora laughed sheepishly at the mother/son exchange before clearing her throat and walking upstairs.

A short while later, Ruvino was seeing off Mora just outside his house. She was now wearing her full handmaiden attire and carrying the wicker basket in her hands.

"I keep thinking about Mirala… I feel it may take a miracle to rescue her," Ruvino lamented.

Recalling her childhood, Mora knew the perfect response. "My mother used to say miracles are made with one's own hands. If someone's heart desires a miracle, then help that person see it. Then that person will have a new heart, and you too!"

Ruvino smirked slightly. "And, are you helping me to see a miracle right now Mora?"

"Yes!" She unequivocally answered with a snappy smile.

Perhaps Mora was just the miracle in his life he needed, given the recent string of tragedies that had afflicted him. She had rapidly become a source of motivation standing by his side, her pure heart elevating his darkened spirit, and it was something he desperately needed in these dreary times.

"Are you sure I can't give you a ride to the palace?" He asked, wanting to spend a few extra minutes with her.

Mora felt ashamed to answer the question. She did want him to accompany her back, however she did not think it wise for Imperial troops to see her with him, at least not yet. "As much as I want that… I don't think that would be appropriate. If the Imperial troops see us together, I don't know what may happen, with you being Mirala's brother and all… I'm so sorry Ruvino." Mora's voice was laced with regret and she timidly glanced down at the pavement and her shoes.

Ruvino did not respond, she lifted her head and could see the sadness behind his brown eyes. "I really enjoyed myself today, and your company," Mora slowly turned and began to take a few steps but was quickly stopped when she felt Ruvino's hand grab her arm and turned her around.

It's now or never, Ruvino pulled Mora against his chest, her heart throbbed as their lips deliciously met. This was what she had wanted from him back in the forest, and finally he worked up the courage to do so. She closed her eyes and relished in the sensation of feeling his hot lips against hers.

Mora opened her mouth, inviting Ruvino to deepen his kiss, and as he did, Mora very nearly dropped the basket as her body's senses almost overloaded with pleasure and delight; moaning softly against his mouth. Ruvino gently brushed the tip of his tongue against Mora's inside her mouth, it was as if his tongue was tantalizing the very essence of her soul, and all she knew was that she wanted more. But not here, not now, and certainly not this soon.

After the kiss ended, the two took a moment to catch their breath. "That was my first kiss," Mora stated, and the moment was nothing short of exquisite rapture for them both.

Ruvino's eyes lit up. "Really? It was mine too," he confessed.

Mora raised an eyebrow. "You're quite good at it, until we meet again," she said, turning around, and looking back over at him from behind her shoulder, "Master Jedi," she added in a very soft and suggestive voice.

It was a look Ruvino would never forget. Mora appeared so seductive, so captivating at that moment, especially in her handmaiden regalia; the hood of her cloak partially disguised her facial features, but her salacious lips were visibly pursed into a rather sensual and inviting smile; Her feminine wiles had worked their way into his heart and taken control of him. He did not fight it, nor did he want to. Ruvino realized while watching her walk away that she had awoken a sleeping and daring part within him, and it felt exhilarating.

With basket in one hand, and the mended Royal gown in her other, Mora was approaching the palace gates, but stopped when she saw there were no guards around. That's strange, she thought with worry. The main gate had been left unlocked and slightly ajar. Mora pressed it open with her foot and stepped through.

"Hello?" Mora called, but there was not a soul in sight. Fear now began to set in as the handmaiden took a few slow and deliberate steps towards the Theed Royal Palace. She could hear shouting and commotion, and caught sight of several stormtroopers running around the main entrance. One of them ran up to her and held his hand up.

"I'm sorry handmaiden, but that's far enough. I'm going to have to ask you to wait here," the trooper said.

"What is it? What's happened!?"

"There's been an assassination attempt on her Highness."

Mora froze and turned pale, her worst fears were now confirmed.